6.27.2017

Trump administration’s haphazard approach to immigration causes Immigrants to face terrorism in the US - Haitian's TPS under threat

Well, it's beginning to look more and more like 1936 Germany - than 2017 America - as more and more draconian T-Rump terroristic measures are enacted against people - both foreign and domestic. Between the undermining of the health care, to terrorizing refugees who have coe to the US for protection and sanctuary, our democracy is devolving more and more into fascism.

While it looks dire, there are many organizations that are working together to help protect those who have been targeted - especially Haitians who were forced from their homeland 7 years ago as the result of a massive earthquake. They were allowed to come to the US under theTemporary Protected Status, which was set to expire in June. However, the work that was to have been done to make Haiti habitable never really took place, though millions of dollars were collected - and there are still areas that haven't been address.

However, one wouldn't know this from the report issued stating that 98% of the work had been completed, and 98% of the people who lived in tent cities in Haiti have returned to their homes - a blatant lie - but none of the perpetrators are really concerned about the truth anyway.

Since T-rump's edict against immigrants - especially Muslims and Mexicans, with an extrapolation to include Haitians and anyone of darker hue, terroristic tactics have been exacted against them. Suddenly, America the beautiful has become America the horrible.

Below is a recent report received from the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs. It details the increase in egregious acts on the part of authorities against people who came here seeking asylum, but are now having their vulnerable status used against them.

This is very serious and I hope that you not only read this information to the end, but also realize that, while you may not be an immigrant, you may have friends, relatives, associates who are. You may have neighbors who are from Haiti, or other regions under threat - either now or in the future - don't think he's going to stop with just our Haitian bothers and sisters. Also realize that when I said that this is similar to the beginnings of NAZI Germany of 1936, I was dead serious. While America may have progressed considerably, there are obviously still some dark forces from that era that are lurking within ou government- and they are making no bones about their intentions. Silence is consent - that was a hard lesson learned by the descendants of millions of Jews who lost their lives because others stood by and said and did nothing until it was absolutely too late.

Right now, with the congress being predominantly repuglycon, and the administration comprised of a megalomaniac and greedy despots, we're just one goose-step away from Hitlerian laws and policies.

Not only must we not let this happen, we have to make sure this government understands that WE THE PEOPLE is not just a slogan someone came up with nearly 300 years ago. We the people are still the boss of those in Congress - they serve at our pleasure - and when they no longer serve us appropriately, it is up to WE, THE PEOPLE to send them packing. TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH!!

So, make sure you read the entire report; pass it on, and be prepared to help in the protection of our communities and our democracy.

Stay Blessed

Gloria

Mayor’s Commission on African & Caribbean Immigrant Affairs

Legal and Immigration Committee Report

June, 2017

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“There may be problems in the community we haven't heard about because people are afraid to call and we don't want that to happen.”

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly today announced his decision to extend—for an additional six months—the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti. This extension is effective July 23, 2017 through January 22, 2018.

“After careful review of the current conditions in Haiti and conversations with the Haitian government, I have decided to extend the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status for a limited period of six-months,” said Secretary Kelly. “Haiti has made progress across several fronts since the devastating earthquake in 2010, and I’m proud of the role the United States has played during this time in helping our Haitian friends. The Haitian economy continues to recover and grow, and 96 percent of people displaced by the earthquake and living in internally displaced person camps have left those camps. Even more encouraging is that over 98 percent of these camps have closed. Also indicative of Haiti’s success in recovering from the earthquake seven years ago is the Haitian government’s stated plans to rebuild the Haitian President’s residence at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, and the withdrawal of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.”

Clearly Kelly hasn't visited Haiti - or he wouldn't have made such a claim - especially when there is so much consternation about the fact that billions were collected for Haiti, but none of the money ever reached the country. GDW

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new week brings new indications that the Trump administration’s haphazard approach to immigration and Congress’ singular focus on enforcement are generating fear and undermining Americans’ security.Amid evidence that immigrants are hesitant to report crimes for fear of immigration enforcement, reports are multiplying that otherwise law-abiding undocumented immigrants are an immigration enforcement priority, including recent stories from Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Houston. An attorney in Baltimore has gone so far as to threaten an alleged rape victim with deportation should she testify against his client.And in Washington, D.C., fake fliers that Immigration and Customs Enforcement itself deemed “dangerous and irresponsible” appeared, suggesting that “residents should report anyone who entered the country illegally.”“The Trump administration’s off-the-cuff approach to immigration policy is sowing a climate of fear that threatens our security,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “Our safety depends on steady leadership, not chaos and confusion.”

Congress to Hold Hearings on DHS, ICE Budgets

House and Senate committees are scheduled this week to hold hearings to consider the fiscal year 2018 budgets for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

These hearings will follow the Trump administration’s proposed budget, which heavily focuses on immigration enforcement, including additional funding for immigration detention, the hiring of immigration agents, and border security.

On the DHS budget, the Senate Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday, and the House Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to hold its hearing Wednesday. The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the ICE budget at a Friday hearing.

Last week the Trump administration announced it will roll out a tougher screening process for U.S. visa applicants, contending that they need harsher national security vetting. The questions seek 15 years of biographical information from applicants, including all social media handles from the past five years.

Critics have asserted that the additions are overly burdensome and ineffectual and could lead to longer delays. The new questions were approved by the Office of Management and Budget on May 23.

The new vetting process has proceeded separately from the judicial consideration of the administration’s travel and refugee bans, which remain blocked by multiple federal courts.

The government filed a petition Thursday to the Supreme Court to review the lower court rulings on the executive order that included the bans, seeking a motion to allow the travel ban to take effect.

President Trump may have complicated the administration’s defense of the order this morning, characterizing the action as a “travel ban,” a term from which the administration previously had distanced itself, and criticizing the Department of Justice for proposing a “watered down” version of the original executive order barring travel from certain Muslim-majority countries to the United States.

This bill would provide immigrant entrepreneurs and foreign graduates of U.S. universities with the opportunity to stay in the U.S. if they demonstrate the ability to create jobs and bolster our economy.

This bill would reform the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, shifting authority from the Executive and empowering Congress to designate a nation’s participation in the TPS program. Further, it would set maximum lengths for TPS duration.

5/24/2017 Referred to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Homeland Security

Moving Forward:

Reflections & Strategies Following Six Month Haitian TPS Extension

Black Alliance for Just Immigration, National, Immigration Law Center and UndocuBlack Network

Facts about Haitian TPS

There are around 58,000 Haitian TPS holders that are potentially facing deportation-largely concentrated in FL, NY and NJ.

Renewing TPS for Haitian migrants is not only an immigrant issue but a racial justice issue, an economic justice issue and a human rights issue.

It's important for all communities to stand behind Haitians right now. because the fate of this program for Haitians could very well determine the fate of the program overall.

Undocublack and NILC filed a FOIA request for all records from multiple agencies regarding what information they are using to make this determination, what recommendations are being made internally aUnd how they plan to make the final decision.

Let's keep in mind TPS is about humanitarian relief for people who cannot return to a country due to environmental, political and social crises.

It's about their choice to migrate to avoid extreme hardships and potential death.

H.R. 2407 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Authorization Act.

Workers’ Rights and TPS -Joshua Stehlik, Supervising Attorney

Will my EAD be automatically extended?

If you have a Haiti TPS based employment authorization document (EAD) you can have it extended to January 18, 2018.

If you currently have an EAD with an expiration of July 22, 2017 with a category of A-12 or C-19 re-register for TPS during the 60 day re-registration period

File application for an EAD during the 60 day re-registration period.

NOTE: File EAD renewal application as early as possible during 60 day re-registration to avoid lapse if hired for a new job.

What documents should I show my employer for the I-9 form?

You may choose which document or documents to present from this list of acceptable documents for an l-9 form.

An EAD is a LIST A document that proves your identity and work authorization

If your EAD has an expiration date of July 22, 2017 and has a category of A-12 or C-19 and you filed an EAD renewal application during the 60 day period re-registration period, you may show your EAD to your new employer, along with form l- 797C notice of action as proof of identity and work authorization through January 18, 2018.

You may need to explain that your EAD has been automatically extended through January 18, 2018.

What should I show my current employer if my EAD is set to expire?

Your current employer will likely ask about your continued work authorization on or before July 22, 2017

If you file an EAD renewal application and you receive an USCIS receipt notice stating that you’re A-12 or C-19 coded EAD is automatically extended for 180 days you can show that receipt notice to your employer, along with expired EAD to show work authorization through January 18, 2018.

Your employer may NOT require any other documentation, such as proof of Haitian citizenship or proof of re-registration for TPS.